The rushing game LSU Coach Les Miles wants so much to improve made an appearance at the Tigers' first full-scale scrimmage on Saturday.

The 130-play workout, closed to the media, marked the midpoint in spring practice, the eighth with seven remaining. Miles was smiling about the 230 yards rushing the offense compiled.

"I felt like it was a very physical day," Miles said. "I want us to be physical. I said we were going to run the football, we're going to run the football."

The format didn't emphasize down and distance, rather just running plays to help acclimate younger players to the newness of playing. One of the younger players who excelled was redshirt freshman running back Michael Ford, who rushed for 79 yards on 16 carries. Stevan Ridley compiled 84 yards on 16 tries.

Miles said the coaching staff also sought to work on downfield passing but the windy conditions partially negated that. Quarterbacks totaled 200 yards and the only touchdown of the day came on a 43-yard pass from Jarrett Lee to Rueben Randle.

Starter Jordan Jefferson completed 10 of 21 throws for 86 yards and Lee was nine of 20 for 105 yards and the touchdown.

"It was windy and it hurt us throwing the long ball," Miles said. "We had some deep balls that were not necessarily complete, but taken from us by the day."

Randle had four receptions for 71 yards, Deangelo Peterson caught six for 42 yards and Russell Shepard three for 19. Shepard also had five carries for 35 yards, including a 19-yarder, the longest of the day.